World's top 6 wind energy stories: Cost down 60% since 2009

The rest of the world is powering ahead with wind, according to Professor Juan Cole. Sadly, not so Australia where investment in renewables has slumped to half of what it was under Labor and Turnbull has donned Abbott's tin foil hat with appointment of a Wind Commissioner to control 'infrasound'.

1. Germany

‘The German electricity system has reached a new milestone, generating 85.4 billion kWh of wind power in 2015, the highest amount ever recorded and 66% more than 2014. Nationwide, wind energy accounted for 13.3% of German electricity generation during the last year. According to grid operators storm “Bjarni” set a new output record of 32.6 million kWh at the end of the year.

Consequently wind power saw its best month ever in December 2015. With an electricity generation of 12.7 billion kWh, it achieved a new record and was even ahead of lignite coal powered production. Hence, wind is Germany’s most important source of energy for that month.’

4. Brazil

Brazil has put in 6.9 gigawatts of wind power, making it number 4 in the world for installed capacity. It has another 10 gigawatts in the pipeline, with 3.6 GW already under construction. It is expected that 45% of the electricity in the northeast of the country will be generated by wind turbines by 2025.

5. China

China is planning to put in 20 gigawatts of new wind power in 2016 alone! That will bring it to 120 GW in wind generated electricity by the end of this year.